Get access to hands-on and trendy training: the SYNTRA network, consisting of 5 training centres with 19 SYNTRA campuses in Flanders and Brussels, offers entrepreneurial people course to get cutting edge!
Lifelong Learning provides you advice in different areas of training such as vocational training in the workplace, lifelong learning and work-linked training.
Eurodesk provides free information on opportunities to travel, work, study and volunteer in Europe or participate in EU-funded programmes for young people up to 30 years old.
Improve your skills with the opportunities offered by the European Year Of Skills. The European Year of Skills helps you advance the right skills for quality jobs, and it supports small and medium enterprises in addressing skills shortages in Europe through events and activities. Click on the link to know more!
Het Europees Jaar van de Vaardigheden start 9 mei | Vlaanderen.be
VDAB is the employment service of Flanders and helps you look for work by:
- offering a job site with thousands of jobs and useful online tools,
- providing training, and
- guiding you in your job search.
The Department of Work and Social Economy is responsible for policy on employment and social economy. Learn more about how it can help you find a job, access lifelong learning opportunities, support enterprises and manage work complaints among many other things.
Find jobs, training opportunities and valuable labour market information and tips with EURES, the European cooperation network of employment services
Europass provides free tools that make your competences and qualifications visible and understandable across Europe and beyond. Moreover, on the Europass platform you will find not only learning and job opportunities throughout Europe but also country-specific contact details and information on learning and working abroad. The Europass tools are your gateway to learning and working at home and abroad.
Family Union is an association that helps you manage your family, apply for college grants, find a babysitter, find a second-hand fair for children's clothing, find activities to do with children and offers lots of discounts as well. On their website you can find more information.
The Flemish agency Growing up is a public service that works towards a positive upbringing for every child and young person in Flanders and Brussels. Services include preventive family support, childcare, growth packages, foster care, adoption, youth aid and help dealing with young people who commit crimes. Visit their website for more information.
Ferm is the largest women's association in Flanders. Their website offers information on a wide range of activities and services they offer such as maternity care, childcare, home care and domestic help.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland or the United Kingdom under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country. Find out how you can apply for this free card.
The Belgian Social Security Portal centralises all information, services, and online procedures related to the social security of citizens. Thanks to parental leave, workers in the private and public sectors can temporarily reduce their working hours or interrupt their careers to take care of their children. Specific assistance measures are also provided. Visit their website to learn more about your rights to maternity or paternity leave.
The Belgian Social Security Portal centralises all information, services, and online procedures related to the social security of citizens. Family allowances are the allowances paid each month to parents to offset family expenses and take care of their child. As family allowances are a regional competence, it is the child’s place of residence that determines the amount and the payment organisation. Visit their website to learn more.
The equal opportunities policy in Flanders focuses on combating unequal opportunities caused by gender, sexual identity and lack of physical accessibility. The Flemish Government has also an integration policy, a youth policy and a policy for the elderly. On their website you can find information about accessibility and filing discrimination complaints.
Unia is an independent public institution that fights discrimination and promotes equal opportunities in Belgium. You can contact them when you have experienced discrimination or hate messages, or you are looking for advice. More information you can find on their website.
DUO for a JOB organises intergenerational and intercultural mentoring to facilitate access to the job market for young jobseekers while recognising the value of the experiences of people over 50. Visit the website to discover more about the free, professional coaching they provide in several cities.
The Workplace Architects are independent, non-profit organisations having the goal of creating more inclusive workplaces. The Workplace Architects work with employers to offer people over 50, from immigrant backgrounds in poverty, job coaching, language coaching and training. Visit their website to learn more about their work and how you can make your company more inclusive.
The Flemish Human Rights Institute (VMRI) strives for equal opportunities for all citizens. If you believe you are a victim or witness of discrimination, you can report this anonymously and free of charge to the VRMI, and appeal to their first line assistance. Their website offers more information on how to make a report.
The Federal Pensions Service is responsible for managing pensions in Belgium.
If you have worked in Belgium as a salaried employee or as an independent, you can get the pension-related information you need by following the link below.
The Federal Public Service for Social Integration functions as a defender of policies promoting social integration. These policies aim to lower and mitigate the risk of poverty and social exclusion in Belgian society.
If you are unemployed, living in an at-risk household, or a working parent below the line of sustenance, you could be entitled to social aid. Click the link to find out which types of support are available to improve your current situation.
Recht op Maatschappelijke Hulp | POD Maatschappelijke Integratie
ONEM manages Belgian unemployment insurances. If you find yourself out of a job, are looking for one, or would like to take a break from your career for varying reasons, including childcare, visit this site.
The Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue offers information on the minimum wages and guaranteed average minimum monthly incomes.
Visit their website to learn more about the underlying labour agreements and minimum wages per sector.
The Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW) offers information and services for those with insufficient or no income. They can also offer other valuable services to help you make ends meet like helping you budget or offering home care services.
Check their website to see what you might be eligible for.
Dienstverlening van de Openbare Centra voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn (OCMW) | Vlaanderen.be
The Federal Public Planning Service for Social Integration programme strives to ensure a dignified existence for everyone living in precarity and poverty.
Find out which benefits and social assistance you might be eligible for on their website.